Valley Churches United Mission volunteers valiantly distributed 50 tons of county-supplied sandbags ahead of last weekend’s storm.
By midweek, the group had given out more than 2,000 free sandbags to San Lorenzo Valley residents looking to protect their property against flooding.
“I have observed complete strangers helping each other with sand bags, shoveling, lifting (them) into cars, and even following someone home to help them get the sandbags out of the car,” said Lynn Robinson, executive director.
“It is the true spirit of the community helping the community.”
Robinson mentioned that one couple bagged up 100 bags of sand (the bags each weigh as much as 50 pounds) when the group received a 25-ton delivery. She said the two said they were giving back for assistance that they had received five years ago.
As the second of two storms swept across the valley on Tuesday, Jan. 10, Santa Cruz County delivered an additional 12 tons of sand to be bagged.
Before the first storm, when the county ran low on sand, Ben Lomond Fire Chief Stacie Brownlee came through with 25 tons of sand and bags.
“It has been a steady flow of people coming by and getting sandbags, even in the heavy rain,” Robinson said. “We went through 32 tons of sand in 24 hours.”
Though they had numerous calls for sandbags, Valley Churches was not asked for any other types of assistance during the wet weekend.
It continues to provide its regular food assistance with donated food from its food pantry, in downtown Ben Lomond.
